26 THE EMPRESS ORDERS YOUR PRESENCE

(Was terribly ill, but I'm back now. Updates are daily!)

Mei-ling calculated that if she kept the dog neatly, then she would be able to probably get bitten and sent home.

She didn't want to die.

"Well, I'll keep him for the mean time." She said to him and then she went on thinking

"What's his name mistress Mei-ling?" Li-na asked interrupting her thought process.

It had even occurred to her that she will give him a name.

"Chuchu." She said absent mindlessly.

Then she went on thinking and deliberating on her next moves.

The one thing she prayed was that the man she had saved in the town didn't have to report to the palace or never had to see her in the first place.

She sighed to herself.

There was a knock at the door and Mei-ling jumped.

Li-na went to the door.

It was a servant.

She bowed at her.

"How can I help you?" Li-na asked.

"The Empress has demanded that all concubines first and second class coke to her court." The servant said. "It's a matter of urgency."

"My mistress would be on her way." Li-na said and shut the door. Then she turned to Mei-ling. "The empress has requested your presence in her court."

"What? Why? Did she say the reason?" Mei-ling asked trembling.

Had that stupid and ungrateful imperial guard she had saved exposed her and told of her whereabouts to the Queen.

"No she didn't say, but she said you must attend immediately." Li-na informed.

Mei-ling wondered what would happen if she ran away from the palace?

She had space now but her space was attached to her closet!

She couldn't make it far.

Maybe it was truly her time to die.

She wanted to weep.

She was forced to get dressed in a less ugly clothe.

"This will have to do." Li-na said. "At least till your uncle sends you your new clothes."

Mei-ling weakly got ready and together they went out of the room, leaching chang behind with Chuchu.

By the time they were passing the beautiful hallways, Mei-ling now slowly admired the beauty of ancient China.

"My mistress we can do that later." Li-na said. "The empress wants you immediately."

Mei-ling grumbled as Li-na as she was pushed towards the way.

Eventually they ran upward and they were soon in the presence of the Empress and the entire court.

It seemed all the concubines were present and she was the only one they were waiting for.

She quickly bowed down and hurried to her place.

The other concubines giggled at her and Mei-ling knew that they were making fun of her appearance.

She ignored them and waited for the announcement of perhaps her death sentence.

"The crowned prince would be returning to the palace today." The empress said.

That was not what Mei-ling had expected to hear.

There were soft gasps and whispers amongst the concubines.

Mei-ling didn't know when she was blurted aloud and said. "The male lead is coming?!"

Everyone in the court room turned to look at her.